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Tua Tagovailoa draws mixed reviews on social media after 2021 preseason debut
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Tua Tagovailoa received the call as the starter for the Miami Dolphins’ first preseason game of 2021 as they traveled to Chicago to take on the Bears.
The afternoon got off to a bit of a shaky start for the 2nd-year quarterback as his first 2 passes of the day were incomplete during a Miami 3-and-out. On his next drive, he nicely connected with tight end Mike Gesicki for a 50-yard gain to put the Dolphins inside the 10 before they were forced to settle for a field goal to take a 3-0 lead.
Tua finds Gesicki for the 50 yard completion ?
(via @MiamiDolphins) pic.twitter.com/rVgV3ClZeL
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 14, 2021
Sadly, Tagovailoa’s final pass wasn’t a good one. Despite a lengthy and promising 13-play drive that saw the Dolphins move inside the red zone, he was picked off by Bears safety DeAndre Houston-Carson.
Tua had so much time and a beautiful pocket – and threw this ?pic.twitter.com/klRB0Vhzmq
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) August 14, 2021
All told, Tagovailoa completed 8 of his 12 passes for 99 yards before giving way to Jacoby Brissett. Here’s the reaction on social media after his day, including some harsh takes surrounding Tagovailoa’s pick:
Where’s all that Tua Twitter love now? You don’t get the big bucks for completions between the 20’s.
— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) August 14, 2021
Tua Tagovailoa's day is done. 8 of 11 for 99 yards with a bunch of really good decisions … except his last.
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) August 14, 2021
Tua goes 9/11 114 YDS and the haters were SILENT
Throws a bad pick and they out saying he’s a bust ??
— Finsports (@FinsportsF) August 14, 2021
Tua Tagovailoa more like Tua Turningtheballova
— PapaUrameshi #2 (@OgUrameshi) August 14, 2021
Tua is so smart. He’s getting all his interceptions out now in the preseason. pic.twitter.com/sRsvCb9i3q
— KD (@notkdk3) August 14, 2021
The pick wasn’t great obviously but other than that I feel like Tua was playing well. Looked comfortable out there until he wrote a check that his arm couldn’t cash.
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) August 14, 2021
Jacoby Brissett is an upgrade from Tua and its clear
But he still isn't good
— Keeper of the Real (@BMADFTS) August 14, 2021
Tua Tagovailoa showed what we’ve seen much of this offseason — more confidence, rhythm & aggressiveness with deep/tight-window balls that may lead to more TDs but also INTs like the one today.
Unfortunately Dolphins fans, OL/run game play also what we’ve seen. Needs improvement.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 14, 2021
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
